Articles

Comparing private health insurance in Ecuador? Here's a breakdown of the major providers — BMI, Humana, Confiamed, Ecuasanitas, and more — with costs, coverage, and which plans work best for expats.

Everything expats need to know about IESS (Ecuador's public health insurance) in 2026 — enrollment, costs, what's covered, appointment wait times, and whether it's worth it vs. private insurance.

Everything you need to know about moving to Cuenca, Ecuador as an expat — visas, cost of living, neighborhoods, healthcare, banking, safety, and the honest pros and cons from someone who did it.

GDP growing at 2%, inflation at just 1.5%, a new US trade deal boosting exports, and the basic salary up to $482/month. Here's what Ecuador's 2026 economy actually looks like — and why it matters if you live here.

Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso's budget has been slashed from $49 million to potentially under $31 million. Emergency rooms have less than 50% of essential medications. Doctors are sounding alarms. Here's the situation and what it means for expats.

No more connecting through Quito or Guayaquil. LATAM Airlines launches direct flights from Cuenca's Mariscal Lamar Airport to the Galápagos Islands starting March 31, flying Tuesdays and Saturdays. The airport just invested $200K in preparations.

Ecuador's public health system has a bizarre problem: too many general practitioners and not enough surgeons, anesthesiologists, and specialists. Cuenca's José Carrasco Arteaga Hospital is short on oncologists while 13,000+ patients wait for operations nationwide.

Medicine shortages, payment failures, and overwhelmed hospitals plague Ecuador's public system. But for expats in Cuenca, private healthcare remains remarkably affordable — if you know how to navigate your options.

How much does it cost to live in Cuenca, Ecuador in 2026? A detailed month-by-month breakdown for couples and singles — rent, groceries, healthcare, utilities, dining out, and more. Updated March 2026.